Miniature Dachshunds: Small but Brave

The Miniature Dachshund has a long muscular body with short legs. They are cheerful, charming, and a bit self-willed, and although they are small, they are very brave. The Dachshund is a good family pet which usually gets along well with other animals; however, they can get a little jealous at times when they want attention and can be a little possessive of their toys.

Miniature Dachshunds love their exercise, and family playtime, and digging holes. They do not like to be alone, and can be destructive if left alone too much. Most Miniature Dachshunds are good alert dogs when someone is approaching, as they do not like strangers in their territory.

Dachshunds, which are of the hound family, were first bred to hunt badgers, and the miniature dachshund was created to hunt rabbits out of their burrows, and in the American west, they hunt prairie dogs.

Newborn miniature dachshund puppies are normally proportioned. It is after three to four weeks their bodies lengthen to their hot dog or sausage dog shape, which gave them their nickname “hot dog” or “sausage hound."

At approximately two months, you begin to notice changes in their coats. Red coats may lighten, and cream may change to golden or red. The black and tan coats will stay the same.

The Mini Dachshund comes in three varieties: Smooth, Wire-Haired, and Longhaired. The Smooth variety is sleek and short. The short hair requires using a damp towel or washcloth to rub them down.

The Wire-Haired variety is a double coat. The outer coat is short and hard, the under coat is soft and fine. The longhaired and the wired hair miniature dachshund is the result of breeding them with spaniels, schnauzers, and terriers. The Longhaired variety is elegant, glistening, slightly wavy, and is longer on the neck, chest, underside of the body, and behind the legs.

As with most breeds, the males are a little bigger than the females. Male’s height 8 to 10 inches, and weight is less than 11 pounds. Female’s height is 7 to 8 inches, and weight is less than 10 pounds. Most miniature dachshunds will live from twelve to fifteen years of age, which is considered a long life.

The Dachshund is known for being stubborn and it is recommended that you read a few books such as Training Your Dachshund prior to owning one. I thought I was an expert having raised other breeds, but the Doxie can be somewhat challenging if you are not prepared.